April 24, 2010

I pray that the service IBIA is offering is acceptable to and utilized by our great transformational God. I also pray that it is encouraging to you – our partners in this endeavor. I do want to keep you informed on a regular basis. But, the normal events that take place each day, each week and each term do not have great variety. This is not discouraging. This is simply stating the reality. Even with our ongoing inconveniences and annoyances (water, power and transportation) we are still encouraged in our belief that there will be long term benefits for the expansion of God’s kingdom in Albania and the surrounding nations.

Whether our place of service is with the student in the classroom or the graduate in the field, it is not one mountain top moment after another. It is a long-term obedience towards the goal of glorifying God as He transforms us. God is the one doing the building. His Word is planted in our hearts. Day after day we teach, rebuke, correct and train with gentleness and patience. The days and weeks flow by like a river. Sometimes it breaks on the rocks or shores of obstinate attitudes that the river of truth will eventually erode or remove. Sometimes we enjoy the gentle flow as the river meanders at an indiscernible and languid pace. We are a process in progress. We are convicted that if we simply trust and obey - God will accomplish His purposes. I do not believe (here on earth) that there is really ever a completed body of work. That is what Christ will evaluate the day we see Him face to face.

We do live in a very unstable world. Our process at IBIA is to allow God’s Word to constantly point out the only One true stability. This daily examination of God’s absolute, revealed and inspired Word forces us to recognize, admit and repent of the placebos we have accepted from the pluralistic world culture that constantly bombards us with its deceptions and false promises.

God’s Truth is amazing. It is such a joy and privilege to study it, share it and challenge and encourage each other to slip it on and wear it consistently. We really enjoy our IBIA community. As of now, Ervin Leka, is our sole student. He has a good, open mind and a very tender heart. Please pray that his mind stays open and his heart stays tender. There is a very strong probability that we will have at least two more students join us in September. Multiple discussions have taken place and plans are being made so that commitments can be followed through with.

Eri Pellumbi is doing a great job as IBIA’s translator. Besides his verbal translation during the day, he works on written translation of the material into the early hours of each morning. Then, on our “break” weeks he is diligently working on written translations of the courses for the next term.

Niri and Lindita Pellumbi are great assets to IBIA. Lindita is serving as IBIA’s cook and cleaner. Her pleasant demeanor and quick smile have been a great addition to IBIA. Niri (with his degree in linguistics) has been hired on a part time basis to work on written translations of our courses. We are fortunate to have the benefit of his training and skill. We think Niri’s and Eri’s trained and skilled work on the written translations of our courses will be a long term benefits for Christ’s disciples in Albania.

The primary purpose for IBIA’s partnership with Niri and Lindita is to give them a base to work out of as they seek to share God’s Truth with the people of this area. Their encouraging persistence in developing deliberate, redemptive relationships with people from their past and people they are meeting in their daily life is gratifying. That is the goal in our minds from the first day each student sits in the classroom as students at IBIA.

Niri has learned to tolerate European “futbol” in order to find common interests with men he is meeting. As a part time translator for IBIA he has a flexible schedule that enables him to visit with multiple individuals on a very regular basis. Lindita has been following up with a large number of friends that she knew in High School and University. Now that they have moved to Tirana she has diligently and deliberately reconnected with them.

Deborah, Lindita and Pixie (our dog draws a lot of attention) walk together on errands. This enables them to make initial contact with many people. Those initial contacts have led to coffees and extended visits with the owners of mini-marts, curtain shops, sewing shops and clothing stores. Deborah and I meet with Niri and Lindita weekly to serve as a sounding board for where they are in their “bridge building”. We are encouraged as they share how they continue to look for ways to take each of these relationships a step closer to personal Bible studies and group Bible studies.

We are now 2 ½ months away from returning to the U.S. to report, reevaluate and recharge. We hope to have opportunity to visit with as many of our partners as possible. Obviously logistics will create limitations on whom and how many of you we are able to see. Until then, we would appreciate your continued prayers as we strive to fulfill our responsibility to God in the place of service He has provided.

November 30, 2009

The International Bible Institute of Albania invites you to join us as we recognize six individuals who have successfully completed our requirements for graduation.

For two years they have willingly submitted their minds, souls, bodies and strength toward the purpose of developing a deeper understanding of God and His Inspired Word. The ultimate reward for each of them will be to hear their Father in Heaven commend them with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter your reward.”

Our ceremony will be a time to congratulate our students for their achievement and bless them in their ongoing transformation into more effective servants of God. We will honor them on:

Saturday, December 19, 2009
from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
at the Blue Star, Sixth Floor, Conference Room Tirana, Albania

A reception will follow the ceremony

September 7, 2009

Stamatis Status – July and August, 2009

Though I am still in the States until Thursday, the students of IBIA were scheduled to begin a seminar week today. This is a self-guided study of the course, “Scheme of Redemption”. This is a Sunset DVD course taught by Ed Wharton.

If we make all of our flight connections we are scheduled to arrive back in Albania at 10:45 Friday morning. We have been invited to attend the wedding of Altin Koci’s sister at their parent’s home in a village outside of Lushnje for Saturday morning. Though we have every intention right now of attending the event, I am not sure how hard the reality of jet-lag will hit me in my transition back to the seven hour time difference between Arkansas and Albania.

A week from today I will begin teaching a full load of three courses. This term we will be studying “Wisdom Literature”, “The Letters of John”, and “Church History”. In the first week of the “Church History” course Alfred Dimce will teach the specific history of what happened to Christ’s church in the area of Illyricum which modern day Albania descended from. As part of that emphasis, the school will take an excursion each Friday to a different religious archaeological site and on Monday and Tuesday of the following “Break Week” we will take a two day excursion to Butrint in the south of Albania.

It is hard to believe our time in the States is at an end. Though I traveled extensively this summer, I was not able to go to every place I wanted to. I thank each of you that allowed me to share God’s Word with you and what we think God is doing through IBIA. Your fellowship, hospitality and graciousness were a blessing and a source of great encouragement. I appreciate what you are doing in your local service for the Kingdom. We also greatly benefit from your not only thinking globally but the reality of your partnership with us in our Kingdom efforts in the Balkan nation of Albania.

I know there are many questions for all of us on many levels about what is in store for us in the future as a church and as a nation. But, that is the living by faith that God calls us to. We must continue to step forward and make plans for a future that has really always been known only by God. Our financial situation is not rock solid, but we step forward with confidence as we trust in the Rock to work through individuals and congregations like you to make and follow through on your sacrificial offerings that provide the needed finances to train Christ-centered leaders, teachers and preachers for Albania and the Balkans.

For those of you that receive this newsletter we appreciate your consideration of our financial needs as you prepare your congregational and personal budgets for 2010. We are blessed with not only congregations that support us, but with members of our family and beloved individuals whom we have been blessed to enjoy fellowship in various places I have served the Word. Please remember that we lost about 50% of our monthly operating budget in February. At that same time we also lost about 10% of our personal support. That has not been replaced. We will be able to finish this year because of several sacrificial one time contributions. For us to start another two year commitment with new students in January of 2010 we do not just want your financial partnership – we need it.

As I write this newsletter this morning I have no assurance or certainty that we will be financially able to continue on with IBIA in January. Having said that, I know there are tens of millions around the world that do not have financial assurance for tomorrow. Even worse there are multiple billions that have no spiritual assurance at this moment. But, what those of us in Christ do have is the full assurance of the certainty of God and His precious promises to us. We are not to make our jars of clay nor our temporary time on earth the treasure. Our treasure of God’s gracious deliverance is carried in our jars of clay in the time He gives us. Our spiritual treasure gives our jars of clay significance, a single-minded focus, satisfaction and security. We do in fact share the true wealth – in Christ. Together, by faith, we can increase the number of those who understand this truth and are more fully equipped to share it.

With gratitude and joy in Christ,
Steve Stamatis – Dean, IBIA